Charlie Flanagan said the enforcement powers would be used as a last resort (Brian Lawless/PA)

Those found guilty could also receive a prison sentence of up to six months.

The coronavirus death toll in Ireland rose to 235 on Wednesday, with 25 further deaths reported in the previous 24 hours.

A further 365 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed, taking the total since the outbreak began to 6,074.

The National Public Health Emergency Team will make a recommendation later this week on whether to extend the lockdown on public movement in Ireland beyond Easter Sunday.

Asked if the enforcement powers will be extended into next week if the restrictions continue, Mr Flanagan told RTE radio: “There won’t be an automatic rollover (of the laws) but there will be careful consideration given at that point in accordance with the public health advice from Dr Tony Holohan and his team.

“They are a last resort. They do comprise restrictions on liberty of a type that we haven’t seen before but they do amount to a response to the emergency situation that we are in. The vast majority of people in the country have nothing to fear here.

“It is not envisaged that these laws will be widely used. What they are there for is a deterrent primarily and a reassurance to the vast majority of people in this country that their health and wellbeing is being protected in these difficult times.”

Ireland’s health minister Simon Harris signed the beefed-up regulations on Tuesday night and said he expects gardai to use their new powers sparingly.